Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum
CORE 1: CITIES OF VESUVIUS – POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM
1. Geographical content
The physical environment: the geographical setting, natural features and resources of Pompeii and Herculaneum
GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING/NATURAL FEATURES
Located in the coastal plain known today as Campania – 200km south of Rome
Known for its temperate climate and beautiful landscape
Plain faces the Bay of Naples – Tyrrhenian sea to the west
Mount Vesuvius dominates the Campania plain
Pompeii and Herculaneum are both located on elevates areas created by ancient lava flows from Vesuvius
Herculaneum – 7km west of Vesuvius
Pompeii – 10km south of Vesuvius
RESOURCES
Campania is one of the most fertile regions of the Italian peninsula
Ancient times: woodland covered large areas, farmers could easily grow crops in the rich, deep soil of the plain and up onto the slopes of Vesuvius.
Cultivation of grape vines and production of wine were important features of local economy
Rockier areas, less depth of soil – olives were grown and olive oil manufactured.
Local clay – used to make a variety of pottery containers for wine, olive oil and other products
Sheep, milk and goats were raised for their meat, milk, skins and wool
Rich marine resources supported a thriving fish and shellfish industry
Production of popular fermented fish sauce known as garum
Salt used for preserving food was produced by the evaporation of shallow pools of sea water
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Streets of Pompeii vary greatly in width, most are very narrow. From 2.4 to 4.5 meters wide, while the widest is just over 7meters
The streets and roads divide the town into neat rectangular blocks called insulae Pompeii’s roads have deep wheel grooves caused by the constant stream of heavy wagons
Herculaneum’s streets by contrast, were less marked by traffic, had storm drains and an efficient underground sewer
Pompeii’s streets had footpaths but drainage was so poor
1. Geographical content
The physical environment: the geographical setting, natural features and resources of Pompeii and Herculaneum
GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING/NATURAL FEATURES
Located in the coastal plain known today as Campania – 200km south of Rome
Known for its temperate climate and beautiful landscape
Plain faces the Bay of Naples – Tyrrhenian sea to the west
Mount Vesuvius dominates the Campania plain
Pompeii and Herculaneum are both located on elevates areas created by ancient lava flows from Vesuvius
Herculaneum – 7km west of Vesuvius
Pompeii – 10km south of Vesuvius
RESOURCES
Campania is one of the most fertile regions of the Italian peninsula
Ancient times: woodland covered large areas, farmers could easily grow crops in the rich, deep soil of the plain and up onto the slopes of Vesuvius.
Cultivation of grape vines and production of wine were important features of local economy
Rockier areas, less depth of soil – olives were grown and olive oil manufactured.
Local clay – used to make a variety of pottery containers for wine, olive oil and other products
Sheep, milk and goats were raised for their meat, milk, skins and wool
Rich marine resources supported a thriving fish and shellfish industry
Production of popular fermented fish sauce known as garum
Salt used for preserving food was produced by the evaporation of shallow pools of sea water
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Streets of Pompeii vary greatly in width, most are very narrow. From 2.4 to 4.5 meters wide, while the widest is just over 7meters
The streets and roads divide the town into neat rectangular blocks called insulae Pompeii’s roads have deep wheel grooves caused by the constant stream of heavy wagons
Herculaneum’s streets by contrast, were less marked by traffic, had storm drains and an efficient underground sewer
Pompeii’s streets had footpaths but drainage was so poor